Pedestrian Sustains Serious Injuries in Drunk Driving Crash

On Saturday night, police arrested a driver for DUI after he hit a pedestrian around 7 p.m. on Fenn Road. The victim sustained serious injuries and was taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment.

Police closed Fenn Road at Cedar Street during the investigation of the crash. They are asking anyone who saw the accident to contact Newington Police at 860-594-6208.

Dangers of Drunk Driving During the Holiday Season

This weekend’s accident is an important reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence. Drinking and driving increases the risk of an accident, especially during the holiday season when so many cars are out on the road.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports 973 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day in 2015. In December 2014, there was one death every 57 minutes from drunk driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Unfortunately, Connecticut drivers may not be getting the message, as there were more drunk driving arrests during this Thanksgiving weekend compared to last year. From Nov. 23 to Nov. 27, Connecticut State Police arrested 56 people for driving under the influence, 10 more than 2015.

Drunk driving continues to be one of the leading causes of fatal car accidents. There were 9,967 fatal drunk driving accidents in 2014, representing 31 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year, according to the NHTSA.

Alcohol can cause a variety of problems when driving:

Impaired vision

Slower reaction time

Reduced concentration

Drowsiness

If you plan to be out drinking this holiday season, plan ahead and schedule an alternative way home so you do not get behind the wheel after drinking. This could include having a designated driver with you or calling a friend, ridesharing service or cab.

If you suffer an injury or lose a loved one in a drunk driving crash, you need skilled legal representation. Contact our car crash attorneys today for a free, no obligation consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and other damages.